Latest news with #financialstability
National Post
16 hours ago
- Business
- National Post
Ontario government takes over TDSB, three other school boards, citing 'mismanagement'
The Ontario government announced it will be appointing supervisors to oversee four school board districts in the province after an investigation raised concerns about the financial stability of the institutions. Article content The affected boards include some of the largest in the province, including Toronto (TDSB), Toronto Catholic (TCDSB), Ottawa-Carleton (OCDSB) and Dufferin-Peel (DPCDSB). Article content 'Each of these boards has failed in its responsibilities to parents and students by losing sight of its core mission — ensuring student success,' Minister of Education said Paul Calandra said in a news release Friday. Article content Article content The ministry's press release said an investigation into the four school boards revealed 'instances of mismanagement and poor decision-making that put its long-term financial health at risk.' The government said the TDSB has rejected nearly half of the cost-saving measures management has recommended over the past two years and the board relies heavily on proceeds from asset sales to balance its books. Article content Toronto Catholic 'is at risk of default in the coming years' after tripling its deficit, compared with the prior school year, the announcement reads. Meanwhile, Ottawa-Carleton 'depleted its reserves, incurred an accumulated deficit,' the government wrote, noting that the board plans to offset the deficit 'from asset sales to balance its books.' Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board, meanwhile, is 'at the brink of bankruptcy,' Calandra said. Article content Article content The audit of OCDSB and TDSB, according to the provincial government, was overseen by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC), while Deloitte conducted the investigation of TCDSB. Article content Article content Chandra Pasma, the education critic for the Ontario New Democratic Party (NDP), condemned the move calling it 'nothing short of a power grab.' Article content Pasma blamed the Ford government which 'has chronically underfunded our education system,' that will undermine the schooling of students. Article content Calandra framed the announcement as a step toward financial propriety and a better long-term investment in local schools. Article content 'We're strengthening oversight and accountability so that parents can have the confidence that every dollar is spent responsibly to directly benefit students. I have made it clear that if a school board veers off its mandate, I will take action to restore focus, rebuild trust and put students first.'
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
5 Money Worries That Hold Back the Middle Class from Becoming Upper Class
Nowadays, social mobility can feel akin to endlessly climbing up a down escalator — especially for the middle class. Certified financial planner, Stoy Hall, put it best: 'The system is not built for the middle class to level up. It's built to keep them in a loop of just enough stability to keep chasing the dream — but never quite catching it.' Be Aware: For You: With the deck stacked against them, the middle class are bound to feel beaten down. And while many of their hardships are grounded in reality, some of the resulting helplessness becomes internalized. As senior consultant at Nextpins, Lucia Lu, explained, sometimes the issue stops being about money and starts being about mindset. Here are five money worries holding back the middle class from reaching upper class status. Stuck in survival mode, the middle class is often afraid to take a risk and fail because it could mean losing everything they've worked hard for. They don't have a financial cushion to fall back on. 'When you finally reach a place where your bills are paid, you've got health insurance and maybe a little savings, the last thing you want to do is blow it all chasing a bigger dream,' stated Hall. As a result, individuals settle for 'good enough,' choosing not to leave a toxic job or start that new business venture. Safety becomes more enticing if financial growth comes with the possibility of complete destruction. And who could blame them? Explore More: While not a universal truth of middle-class individuals, many are in fact in the middle class because they remain constrained by their lack of financial knowledge and good decision-making. When it comes to leveling up, a salary bump is only as good as one's knowing what to do (or not do) with that extra money. Unfortunately, many individuals remain uneducated because not only does learning about money feel foreign and overwhelming, but knowing whose advice to listen to gets complicated in a landscape of unqualified finfluencers. So, they never really start the process of learning about money. This makes them vulnerable to financial scams and fraud, as well as making hasty decisions based on short-term gain rather than long-term growth. Living beyond one's means is something many middle-class families fall victim to in a futile attempt to keep pace with flashy and successful peers. After all, social pressure is real. And who wants to say they're the poor family that has a used car and rent an apartment when all their fancy friends own new cars and expensive homes? So credit card debt and mortgages it is! Unfortunately, those flashy peers may be cash poor. As Lu explained, the true upper class generally lives below their means and concentrates on putting their money toward investments and other money-making endeavors. Wealth simply isn't flashy. As Hall explained, lifestyle inflation can choke the middle class. Even if they get a raise, they spend it trying to keep up with others: 'they never get a chance to invest the difference–because there isn't one.' Those stuck in the middle class are often on a hamster wheel figuring out how to generate more and more income without considering how to acquire assets. But money is essentially static in value (and may even decrease over time as a result of inflation); assets will continue to appreciate over time. Passive income is one of the largest drivers of wealth for the upper class — and passive income is the result of assets. Unfortunately, many in the middle class are doing more work yet earning less money by failing to strategize effectively. Lu advised shifting perspective: Divert some energy away from one's paycheck and toward asset-creating endeavors like investing in stocks or real estate. 'A long-term perspective is a must for anyone seeking to level up,' stated Lu. Unfortunately, many in the middle class are keeping themselves there by failing to plan for the future or perhaps stick to their future plan. The upper class isn't intending to wing it, they are thinking long-term: Retirement planning, family assets, long-term investments, etc. By starting early and keeping an eye towards the future, the upper class is able to incrementally set aside money and allow that money to compound over time. While it can be difficult for middle-class parents to think about the future or set aside any money while they're busy trying to put food on the table, they are robbing their future selves (and their legacy) of wealth accumulation. Setting aside even small amounts of money for retirement can make all the difference down the road. More From GOBankingRates Mark Cuban Warns of 'Red Rural Recession' -- 4 States That Could Get Hit Hard 9 Downsizing Tips for the Middle Class To Save on Monthly Expenses The 5 Car Brands Named the Least Reliable of 2025 This article originally appeared on 5 Money Worries That Hold Back the Middle Class from Becoming Upper Class Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Reuters
a day ago
- Business
- Reuters
China's central bank pledges to speed up policy response to economic conditions
BEIJING, June 27 (Reuters) - China's central bank said on Friday that it would adjust the pace and intensity of policy implementation in response to domestic and global economic and financial conditions. The world's No.2 economy has faced pressure this year due to U.S. President Donald Trump's imposition of tariffs on Chinese products and persistent deflationary pressure at home. "The external environment has grown increasingly complex and challenging, with weakening momentum in global economic growth, rising trade barriers, and diverging economic performance among major economies," the People's Bank of China (PBOC) said in a summary of its quarterly monetary policy committee meeting. The economy "still faces difficulties and challenges such as insufficient domestic demand, persistently low price levels, and multiple hidden risks," the bank said. "It is suggested that the intensity of monetary policy adjustments be increased, and the forward-looking, targeted and effective nature of monetary policy adjustments be enhanced," it added. The central bank said it will guide financial institutions to step up credit supply, and push for the lowering of overall social financing costs. It also pledged to enhance the resilience of the foreign exchange market, to guard against the risk of exchange rate overshooting, and to keep the yuan exchange rate "basically stable at a reasonable and balanced level." On the beleaguered property market, the bank said it will increase efforts to revitalise existing commercial housing and land inventory, and continue to consolidate the "stable momentum" in the sector.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
3 European Dividend Stocks Yielding Up To 3.9%
As European markets navigate the complexities of global tensions and economic uncertainties, indices like the STOXX Europe 600 have experienced declines, reflecting broader concerns. In this environment, dividend stocks can offer a measure of stability and income potential, making them an attractive option for investors seeking to balance risk with steady returns. Name Dividend Yield Dividend Rating Zurich Insurance Group (SWX:ZURN) 4.48% ★★★★★★ St. Galler Kantonalbank (SWX:SGKN) 3.97% ★★★★★★ Rubis (ENXTPA:RUI) 7.48% ★★★★★★ OVB Holding (XTRA:O4B) 4.59% ★★★★★★ Les Docks des Pétroles d'Ambès -SA (ENXTPA:DPAM) 5.80% ★★★★★★ Julius Bär Gruppe (SWX:BAER) 4.90% ★★★★★★ Holcim (SWX:HOLN) 5.37% ★★★★★★ Bredband2 i Skandinavien (OM:BRE2) 4.12% ★★★★★★ Banque Cantonale Vaudoise (SWX:BCVN) 4.83% ★★★★★★ Allianz (XTRA:ALV) 4.53% ★★★★★★ Click here to see the full list of 241 stocks from our Top European Dividend Stocks screener. Let's uncover some gems from our specialized screener. Simply Wall St Dividend Rating: ★★★★☆☆ Overview: JCDecaux SE is a global outdoor advertising company with a market cap of €3.24 billion. Operations: JCDecaux SE generates revenue through its three main segments: Street Furniture (€1.99 billion), Transport (€1.39 billion), and Billboard (€546.60 million). Dividend Yield: 3.6% JCDecaux's dividend payments are well-covered by earnings and cash flows, with payout ratios of 45.4% and 14.5%, respectively, though the dividends have been volatile over the past decade. The stock's price-to-earnings ratio of 12.5x suggests it is undervalued compared to the French market average of 15.8x. Recent strategic partnerships, such as with Qloo for enhanced digital ad targeting, may bolster future revenue streams but do not directly impact dividend stability or yield improvements currently at a modest 3.64%. Click here and access our complete dividend analysis report to understand the dynamics of JCDecaux. Insights from our recent valuation report point to the potential undervaluation of JCDecaux shares in the market. Simply Wall St Dividend Rating: ★★★★☆☆ Overview: PORR AG is a construction company with operations across multiple European countries and internationally, with a market cap of €1.07 billion. Operations: PORR AG generates revenue from various segments including €937.96 million from Germany, €907.75 million from Poland, €745.65 million from Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), €3.13 billion from Austria and Switzerland (AT/CH), and €424.91 million from Infrastructure International projects. Dividend Yield: 3.2% PORR AG's dividend yield of €0.90 per share remains below the top tier in Austria, though recent increases signal potential growth. Despite a volatile dividend history over the past decade, current dividends are well-covered by earnings and cash flows, with payout ratios at 38.5% and 62.7%, respectively. The stock trades at a significant discount to its fair value estimate, but recent earnings have shown a decline in net income to €0.665 million for Q1 2025, impacting overall financial stability. Get an in-depth perspective on PORR's performance by reading our dividend report here. According our valuation report, there's an indication that PORR's share price might be on the cheaper side. Simply Wall St Dividend Rating: ★★★★☆☆ Overview: Asseco Business Solutions S.A. designs and develops enterprise software solutions in Poland and internationally, with a market cap of PLN2.76 billion. Operations: Asseco Business Solutions S.A. generates revenue primarily from its ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) Segment, amounting to PLN417.51 million. Dividend Yield: 3.9% Asseco Business Solutions offers a dividend yield of 3.95%, which is lower than the top 25% of Polish dividend payers. Despite stable and growing dividends over the past decade, with a high payout ratio of 91.5%, current earnings do not fully cover these payments, raising sustainability concerns. Recent Q1 2025 results show improved sales at PLN 108.08 million and net income at PLN 28.41 million, indicating potential for future growth in profitability and cash flow coverage. Unlock comprehensive insights into our analysis of Asseco Business Solutions stock in this dividend report. According our valuation report, there's an indication that Asseco Business Solutions' share price might be on the expensive side. Dive into all 241 of the Top European Dividend Stocks we have identified here. Shareholder in one or more of these companies? Ensure you're never caught off-guard by adding your portfolio in Simply Wall St for timely alerts on significant stock developments. Simply Wall St is your key to unlocking global market trends, a free user-friendly app for forward-thinking investors. Explore high-performing small cap companies that haven't yet garnered significant analyst attention. Fuel your portfolio with companies showing strong growth potential, backed by optimistic outlooks both from analysts and management. Find companies with promising cash flow potential yet trading below their fair value. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Companies discussed in this article include ENXTPA:DEC WBAG:POS and WSE:ABS. This article was originally published by Simply Wall St. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@ Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
3 European Dividend Stocks Yielding Up To 3.9%
As European markets navigate the complexities of global tensions and economic uncertainties, indices like the STOXX Europe 600 have experienced declines, reflecting broader concerns. In this environment, dividend stocks can offer a measure of stability and income potential, making them an attractive option for investors seeking to balance risk with steady returns. Name Dividend Yield Dividend Rating Zurich Insurance Group (SWX:ZURN) 4.48% ★★★★★★ St. Galler Kantonalbank (SWX:SGKN) 3.97% ★★★★★★ Rubis (ENXTPA:RUI) 7.48% ★★★★★★ OVB Holding (XTRA:O4B) 4.59% ★★★★★★ Les Docks des Pétroles d'Ambès -SA (ENXTPA:DPAM) 5.80% ★★★★★★ Julius Bär Gruppe (SWX:BAER) 4.90% ★★★★★★ Holcim (SWX:HOLN) 5.37% ★★★★★★ Bredband2 i Skandinavien (OM:BRE2) 4.12% ★★★★★★ Banque Cantonale Vaudoise (SWX:BCVN) 4.83% ★★★★★★ Allianz (XTRA:ALV) 4.53% ★★★★★★ Click here to see the full list of 241 stocks from our Top European Dividend Stocks screener. Let's uncover some gems from our specialized screener. Simply Wall St Dividend Rating: ★★★★☆☆ Overview: JCDecaux SE is a global outdoor advertising company with a market cap of €3.24 billion. Operations: JCDecaux SE generates revenue through its three main segments: Street Furniture (€1.99 billion), Transport (€1.39 billion), and Billboard (€546.60 million). Dividend Yield: 3.6% JCDecaux's dividend payments are well-covered by earnings and cash flows, with payout ratios of 45.4% and 14.5%, respectively, though the dividends have been volatile over the past decade. The stock's price-to-earnings ratio of 12.5x suggests it is undervalued compared to the French market average of 15.8x. Recent strategic partnerships, such as with Qloo for enhanced digital ad targeting, may bolster future revenue streams but do not directly impact dividend stability or yield improvements currently at a modest 3.64%. Click here and access our complete dividend analysis report to understand the dynamics of JCDecaux. Insights from our recent valuation report point to the potential undervaluation of JCDecaux shares in the market. Simply Wall St Dividend Rating: ★★★★☆☆ Overview: PORR AG is a construction company with operations across multiple European countries and internationally, with a market cap of €1.07 billion. Operations: PORR AG generates revenue from various segments including €937.96 million from Germany, €907.75 million from Poland, €745.65 million from Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), €3.13 billion from Austria and Switzerland (AT/CH), and €424.91 million from Infrastructure International projects. Dividend Yield: 3.2% PORR AG's dividend yield of €0.90 per share remains below the top tier in Austria, though recent increases signal potential growth. Despite a volatile dividend history over the past decade, current dividends are well-covered by earnings and cash flows, with payout ratios at 38.5% and 62.7%, respectively. The stock trades at a significant discount to its fair value estimate, but recent earnings have shown a decline in net income to €0.665 million for Q1 2025, impacting overall financial stability. Get an in-depth perspective on PORR's performance by reading our dividend report here. According our valuation report, there's an indication that PORR's share price might be on the cheaper side. Simply Wall St Dividend Rating: ★★★★☆☆ Overview: Asseco Business Solutions S.A. designs and develops enterprise software solutions in Poland and internationally, with a market cap of PLN2.76 billion. Operations: Asseco Business Solutions S.A. generates revenue primarily from its ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) Segment, amounting to PLN417.51 million. Dividend Yield: 3.9% Asseco Business Solutions offers a dividend yield of 3.95%, which is lower than the top 25% of Polish dividend payers. Despite stable and growing dividends over the past decade, with a high payout ratio of 91.5%, current earnings do not fully cover these payments, raising sustainability concerns. Recent Q1 2025 results show improved sales at PLN 108.08 million and net income at PLN 28.41 million, indicating potential for future growth in profitability and cash flow coverage. Unlock comprehensive insights into our analysis of Asseco Business Solutions stock in this dividend report. According our valuation report, there's an indication that Asseco Business Solutions' share price might be on the expensive side. Dive into all 241 of the Top European Dividend Stocks we have identified here. Shareholder in one or more of these companies? Ensure you're never caught off-guard by adding your portfolio in Simply Wall St for timely alerts on significant stock developments. Simply Wall St is your key to unlocking global market trends, a free user-friendly app for forward-thinking investors. Explore high-performing small cap companies that haven't yet garnered significant analyst attention. Fuel your portfolio with companies showing strong growth potential, backed by optimistic outlooks both from analysts and management. Find companies with promising cash flow potential yet trading below their fair value. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Companies discussed in this article include ENXTPA:DEC WBAG:POS and WSE:ABS. This article was originally published by Simply Wall St. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@ Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
